2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca

Subaru finally has come up with a large crossover sport-utility vehicle, which should have been introduced a decade ago. But never mind the delay -- Subaru likes to go its own way with vehicles.

Called the B9 Tribeca, this early 2006 model is Subaru's first vehicle with seven-passenger seating and is its largest, priciest model ever.

The Tribeca is named for the hip "triangle below Canal Street'' section of Manhattan. (The "B'' stands for the Tribeca's "boxer'' engine with its horizontally opposed piston design, and "9'' is for the model series.) The Tribeca is built at Subaru's revamped Lafayette, Ind., plant, which is a long way from Manhattan but relatively close to Chicago.

Subaru helped launch the market for car-based crossover SUVs with the debut of its all-wheel-drive 1995 Legacy Outback, designed to bridge the gap between a wagon and an SUV. Subaru raised the Outback's suspension and called it "America's first sport-utility wagon,'' although American Motors offered its similar four-wheel-drive Eagle wagon in the early 1980s.

The Legacy Outback was a hit. That couldn't be said for Subaru's BRAT pickup truck with its unusual rear-facing, cargo bed seats in the 1980s and the SVX sports car with fighter-plane-style auxiliary side windows in the 1990s. Nobody could figure out why Subaru was offering the rakish SVX because the car didn't fit next to Subaru's bland, utilitarian models.

The all-wheel-drive B9 Tribeca makes more sense than the BRAT or SVX and promises to be more successful. Based on an enlarged and modified Outback platform, it's about as long as Honda's mid-size Pilot SUV, at 189.9 inches, and is fairly easy to park and maneuver.

Subaru loyalists have been looking for something larger than the Outback and the compact Forester SUV.

The Tribeca doesn't look like a Subaru. For one thing, its grille theme looks as if it's from the one used by the sexy Italian Alfa Romeo. Subaru says the grille theme, which will be shared by upcoming Subarus, is from the aircraft heritage of Subaru's parent, Fuji Heavy Industries.

Subaru also says the Tribeca's body shape was virtually finished before its new chief designer, Andreas Zapatinas, came from Alfa Romeo. Subaru says Zapatinas worked on the Tribeca's futuristic interior, with its swooping dashboard and wraparound console. But one might guess that he also gave the Tribeca that Alfa front-end look.

The quiet cockpit's dashboard is a little over-the-top, but controls are easily reached and most are large.

The base five-passenger Tribeca starts at $30,695. The base seven-passenger Tribeca begins at $32,395 and ends at $37,695 with such items as a rear DVD entertainment system and a navigation system.

Even the base five-passenger model has a comprehensive list of standard features, and a higher line $32,295 version of the five-passenger Tribeca and lower line $33,895 version of the seven-passenger model are offered.

First- and second-row seating areas provide plenty of room. But the split-folding third-row seat is a kids-only affair -- and there's only room for a few grocery bags when the third seat is in its upright position.

However, the second-row seats recline and slide fore and aft up to 8 inches. And second- and third-row seatbacks fold forward for substantial cargo space, although the wide load floor is rather high.

Powering the Tribeca is the tough 3-liter, 250-horsepower six-cylinder "boxer'' engine from the Outback. It provides lively acceleration up to 60 mph, although 65-75 mph passing times are average. The Tribeca weighs a hefty 4,245 pounds, so a larger engine with more power and torque would be welcome.

The Tribeca is not a gas guzzler but is no fuel miser, either, with estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 23 on highways.

The engine works with a five-speed automatic transmission that upshifts smoothly, but is a bit slow to downshift. Its manual-shift feature is a sporty touch.

A new double-wishbone rear suspension allows a flat rear floor and helps provide a smooth ride. That suspension and the compact Porsche-style engine that sits low help keep the center of gravity low for good handling, which is assisted by the all-wheel drive and stability and traction control zsystems. Substantial 18-inch wheels and tires that really fill out the wheel wells also help stability and give the Tribeca an athletic, purposeful stance.

The rack-and-pinion steering with variable power assist is direct, and all-disc brakes with an anti-lock system and electronic brake force distribution provide short stops. The brake pedal should be firmer, but has a linear action that allows smooth stops.

A low floor and doors that open wide make it easy to slide in and out of the quiet interior. Occupants enjoy high seating with a good view of surroundings, although front seats need more thigh support.

Safety features include front side air bags and curtain side air bags for the first two seating rows.

Subaru still hasn't fully joined the mainstream vehicle market with the B9 Tribeca, if only because it looks so distinctive. You could probably tell the neighbors it's a saucy Alfa Romeo and get away with it for a while. 

2006 SUBARU TRIBECA 

PRICES
$30,695-$37,695

LIKES
Bold styling. Roomy. Secure handling. Comfortable ride. Versatile.

DISLIKES
Tight third-row seat area. Scant cargo room behind upright third seat. High load floor. Average highway acceleration.